Framing light for motion-picture-projecting machines



June 25, 1929. A. DINA 1,718,540

FRAMING LIGHT FOR MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINES Filed March 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Aug UJ To DI/7d ATTORNEY A. DINA June 25, 1929..

FRAMING LIGHT FOR MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet mm m0 w, mm J U W A ATTORNEY Filed, March 2, 1925 Patented June 25,1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

AUGUSTO DINA, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO INTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR CORTORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

, FRAMING LIGHT FOR MOTION-PICTURE-PROJECTING MACHINES.

Application filed March 2, 1925. Serial No. 12,485.

This invention relates to motion picture projecting machines and in particular it relates to a new means for accomplishing the operation of properly positioning the film in the machine in order to obtain correct projection. The operationof positioning the film is usually termed framing.

By those persons familiar with the details of projection work, it is well known that the 10 film must be properly positioned in the head of the projecting machine before starting so that as the change over is made the theatre patron will not be aware of the work being done in the projection room. By the term change over, it is understood that one pro jection machine is closed down when the supply of film therein has been exhausted and another machine, with a full supply of film, is started. It will be appreciated that the film in the newly started machine must be properly positioned therein or the theatre patron will be aware of poor projection operations when this new film is first projected on to the screen. Thus it will be seen that it is important to have the framing operation carefully and properly completed in order to eliminate adverse comments being made by the theatre patrons.

The framing operation is accomplished by throwing a light of relatively low intensity on to the film and then adjusting the film so that one of the sections thereof, or exposures, regs isters properly and accurately with a definite aperture. The light required to accomplish this framingoperation need only be'of such intensity as to outline a section or exposure in the film. If the light is of too great in- 40 tensit-y the film will beset on fire thereby causing great damage and endangering the lives of all of the peo le in the theatre. By

reason of this great re risk the projecting light of the machine is not supposed to be used to accomplish the framing operation, but in actual practice it is found that the operator will risk using the projectin light.

v -It is well known that the projecting lilt is of very high intensity and that a non-moving 60 film becomes ignited when only a portion of t is thrown on to it. Thus the projecting ligh it will be seen t at a low intensity framing light is highly advantageous and eliminates a very dangerous fire risk.

. It is the main object of my invention to providean eificient low intensity light for accomplishing the framing operation in a motion picture projecting machine and to so locate this light that the convenience in performing the framing operation is greater than has heretofore been provided.

.It is also an object of my invention to provide animproved lighting means for accomplishing the framing operation and to have this lighting means so constructed and ar ranged as to automatically be brought into operative position each time the projection machine is stopped and to be moved outof operative position when the machine starts.

A further object of this invention is to provide, at a very low cost of production and operation, a suitable framing light that is always ready for use without requiring special operations or movements on the part of the operator.

One of the particular objects of my invention is to so associate with. the fire shutter of a motion picture projecting machine a suitable lighting means of sufficient intensity to permit properframing of the film in the machine and at the same time eliminate any firerisk.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of certain -parts of a projecting machine whereby the sized opening formed in the projection ma- 35 chine. This opening is usually termed the raining operation may be accomplished without moving the fire shutterfrom its normal closed position when the projection machine is not in operation. I

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent as a reading is made of the detailed description setforth below. A

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated preferred constructions embodying my invention and in these drawings Fig. 1 is a plan View of a portion of a' motion picture projecting machine showing a fire shutter properly mounted in such a machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of that .portion of j the motion picture projecting machine which has to do with the fire shutter construction and mounting.

i shutter having'assooiated therewith a light giving means.

Fig. 6 is a modified 'form of the showing in Fig. 5 and F ig. 7 is a sectional View showing a fire shutter of different construction than the one illustrated in Fig. 3.

It maybe statedin a general manner, which includes the broad aspect of my invention, that I have provided in a motionpicture projection machine suitable means for complet mg the framing operation without requiring a movement of the fire shutter from its closed position. Further, that one of the ways or methods of accomplishing this result is to have a light giving or luminous means associated in some manner with the fire shutter so that the film is sufiiciently illuminated when the fire shutter is in its down or closed posltion to allow the framing operation to be readily completed. The lighting means as herein referred to is considered as being such that a suificient number of rays of light will be cast on to the whole or portions of the film ad acent the projection aperture so that the 'film may be properly positioned in registry with the aperture. It may also be stated that it is highly important that the top and bottom edges of the aperture opening should be illuminated to a suificient extent or amount so that a section or exposure of the film may be properly brought into registry with the opening. It is well known in the motion picture industry that the film which passes through the projection machine is divided into sect ons or exposures and thatdark or black lmes extend across the film to indicate the top and bottom boundary of each section or exposure. In order to properly frame the film, or in other wordsto properly register one of these exposures with the aperturev opening, it requires that the black or dividing lines in the film shall be brought into alignment with the top and bottomedges of the aperture opening, therefore, it will be seen that it is highly desirable to illuminate the top and bottom edges of the aperture opening so that framing may be properly and ac curately accomplished. It will, therefore, be seen that my invention in its broad aspect deals with the proper framing of the film in the machine without moving the fire shutter, thereby eliminating any fire risk due to the projection light being able to reach the film until the machine is started.

Referring now to the drawings I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 one type of fire shutter for covering a projection aperture. In these drawings a portion 1 of a projection machine is shown as being a part of the head of such a machine. A wall 2 of this head is provided with an aperture opening 3 which permits light from the projecting lamp of the machine to pass to film 4 that is threaded through the machine. As is usual, a suitable fire shutter 5 is provided to close over this aperture when the machine is not running and to be raised when the machine is running or operating. In this particular type of 'motion picture projection machine the shutter 5 is raised or lowered by means of a rocker arm 6 and a link 7 which joins the fire shutter 5 to the arm 6. At the free end of this link 6 there is provided a suitable pin 8 which extends through the back of the machine as will be noted from Fig. 2 and is employed by the operator to raise the fire shutter at ,any time he desires. In projecting machine constructions heretofore devised it becomes necessary that the operator move this pin 8 to raise the fire shutter 5 in order to'accomplish the framing operation.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that the main object of my invention is to complete the operation of framing the film in the machine'without requiring the fire shutter 5 to be raised. In the usual operation of a machine the fire shutter is automatically operated so that it is raised when the machine is in operation thereby permitting the beam of light from the projection lamp to pass to the film and from there to the screen, and when the machine is closed. down the fire shutter automatically drops to its down or closed position. .IVhile I have shown this type of fire shutter as being slidable in a frame 10 there are other constructions of shutters which are pivoted at the top and are oscillated about their pivot to uncover the aperture 3 to thereby permit the proper operation of the projection machine. My invention as herein outlined is applicable to such pivot type of fire shutters.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive I have illustrated one or more forms of modified fire shutters which may have associated therewith suitable lighting means to accomplish the illumination of the aperture opening and the film positioned adjacent thereto for framing purposes. In Fig. 3 I have shown the inner surface of the aperture plate 5 as being provided with some material 11 which will give sufiicient light to the film which, it will be noted, is positioned only a short distance from the fire shutter, and thus permit satisfactory framing of the film. In this instance, I have employed a suitable radium paint or luminous white enamel or other luminous material.

' be noted that by reason of this construction of fire shutter construction andhave illustrated in Fig. 3, I have accomplished this purpose by means of a luminous material which is associated with the the shutter 5 b being attached thereto. In Fig. 7 I have s own a different construction of tire shutter and have provided a parabolic curved surface 12 for the reception of a light giving or reflecting material. It will that more of the luminous material will be associated with the fire shutter than with the flat construction-as shown in Fig. 3 due to the area of the curved surface. In addition there will be considerable reflection of the light rays-which will also add to the amount of light passing to the film. It will be noted that in each of the fire shutters illustratediin Figs. 3 to 7 inclusivethat an attaching eye 13 is provided so that the shutter may be readily joined to link 7 In Fig. 4 I have illustrated another type rovided on the inner side of the shutter a suitable beveled light reflec 'rng surface 14 which may be in the form of (i/polished metallic surface or a surface coated with luminous white paint or enamel. cooperates with a suitable light 15 to refiect This surface light rays through the aperture 3 on to the film 4. The beveled surface 14 is easily provided in a shutter at a small or negligible 'cost and a small electric light 15 of low intensity is readily positionedor held in rela-' 11011 to the side or wall 2 ofthe projection machine. It will," from this construction, be

noted that the fire shutter is associated with the lamp lato'illuminate the film 4 when the fire shutter is in its closed or down position andthat the shutter and this lighting means automatically becomeeflfective to illuminate the film when the machine is in non-running position. I s

It will be understood that the beveled surface 14 may beinclined in the opposite direction and the lamp 15 positioned above or attached to the top edge of the fire shutter. Such construction may be employed. if desired and it is considered that such construction of the fire shutter is to be included of the shutter.

with indentations 21 of any suitable nature and have located the lamp 15 above the glass 20 so that the light rays therefrom will pass down into the glass as is well understoodfrom laws of physics and by reason of the indentation 21 the light rays will be re fracted and cast on to the film 4 as positioned adjacent the aperture 3. Thus I have obtained a proper illumination of the film 4 by refraction and have also positioned the lamp 15 so that it will not have direct relation or position to the film 4 or the aperture 3. The cavity 17 formed in this particular type of fire shutter 16 forms an air insulating pocket so that heat developed in case the projecting lamp of the machine is thrown on to the shutter will not affect the glass or film. This heat insulation is replaced by new and cold air by reason of providing suitable openings 22 in the top of this cavity 17, thus permitting the hot air to pass out It will also be understood that the sides of the cavity 17 are open.

Thus I have provided a construction which protects the glass that is used for refraction in throwing the light rays from lamp 15 on to the film 4. It will be understood that in stead of using the glass 20 that suitable metal reflecting surfaces may be properly positioned within the cavity 18 to accomplish the same result. I I.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the lamp 15 as positioned within the cavity 18 so that the rays of light emanating from the lampmay 'pass directly to the film 4. The lamp con struction may be of the long longitudinal type instead of the round type as illustrated, if desired. Any low intensity lamp may be positioned in this fire shutter 16 so that there will be no danger from heatdeveloped by the lamp being sufficient to ignite the film 4. If desired, protecting means such as glass or other transparent material may be positioned between the lamp and the film 4. 'It will be understood that such means will be moved when the fire shutter is automatically moved.'

It will be seen from the foregoing illustrations that I have provided a suitable lighting means in association with a fire shutter of a motion picture projection machine in such a manner that the operation of framing or properly positioning the film in the machine, may be quickly and readily accomplished, and may be accomplished without-the movement of. the fire shutter thus eliminating a fire hazard. Believing that I am the first in the field to accomplish such advantgeous results, I desire to be understood that it is within the, scope of-my invention to placean'y lighting means to be associated with and ar ranged to cooperate with the'fire shutter to give sufficient illumination of the film 4 so that the framing operation may be properl and accurately accomplished. Thus it wil beseen that the fire shutter and the lighting means operate to cast a light on to the film for accomplishing the desired purpose.

giving means associated with said fire shutter for sufficiently illuminating the top and bottom edges'of said projection aperture to permit framing of a film in said machine without raising said shutter, said light giving means being on'the same side of the film as said shutter;

2. In a motionpicture machine havin a projection aperture, the combination of a re shutter adapted to close said aperture when said machine is not operating, and a light giving means associated with said fire shutter for automatically illuminating sufficiently the projection aperture to permit framing of a film in said machine without moving said shutter from its closed position.

3. In a motion picturemachine having a pro ect-ion aperture, the combination of a fire \shutter adapted to close said aperture when said machine is not operating, and a light givlng means associated with said shutter and adapted to be brought into operation when film in said machine when said machine is not in operation.

5. In a motion picture projecting machine, a fire shutter adapted normally to cover the projecting aperture and to be automatically moved to uncover said aperture when the machine is in operation, and a light giving material carried by that portion of said shutter which faces .said aperture, said light giving material acting when opposite said aperture to sufficiently illuminate a film exposure adjacent said aperture to permit framing of said exposure in said aperture. I 6. In a motion picture projecting machine, a fire shutter adapted normally to cover the projecting aperture and to be automatically moved to uncover said aperture when the machine is in operation, said shutter having its internal face concaved, and luminous paint applied-to said concave surface forilluminating said aperture when saidv shutter is opposite the aperture to permit framing of a film in said aperture without moving 531d shutter.

g AUGUSTO 

